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Overview

Nicholas Flamel appeared in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter—but did you know he really lived? And he might still be alive today!Discover the truth in Michael Scott’s New York Times bestselling series the Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel with The Sorceress, book three.

Nicholas Flamel's heart almost broke as he watched his beloved Paris crumble before him. The city was destroyed by Dee and Machiavelli, but Flamel played his own role in the destruction. Sophie and Josh Newman show every sign of being the twins of prophecy, and Flamel had to protect them and the pages from the Dark Elders. But Nicholas grows weaker with each passing day. Perenelle is still trapped in Alcatraz, and now that Scatty has gone missing, the group is without protection. Except for Clarent—the twin sword to Excalibur. But Clarent’s power is unthinkable, its evil making it nearly impossible to use without its darkness seeping into the soul of whoever wields it. If he hopes to defeat Dee, Nicholas must find an Elder who can teach Josh and Sophie the third elemental magic—Water Magic. The problem? The only one who can do that is Gilgamesh, and he is quite, quite insane.

“Master yarnspinner that he is, Scott expertly cranks up the suspense while keeping his now-large cast in quick motion….This page–turner promises plenty of action to come.”—Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Michael Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, an authority on mythology and folklore, and one of Ireland’s most successful authors. A master of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and folklore, Michael has been hailed by the Irish Times as “the King of Fantasy in these isles.” The Sorceress is the third book in the Nicholas Flamel series. Look for book one, The Alchemyst; book two, The Magician; book four, The Necromancer; book five, The Warlock; book six, The Enchantress, all available from Delacorte Press. You can follow Michael Scott on Twitter @flamelauthor and visit him at DillonScott.com.

Read an Excerpt

“I think I see them.”

The young man in the green parka standing directly beneath the huge circular clock in St. Pancras station took the phone away from his ear and checked a blurred image on the screen. The English Magician had sent the image: the picture was grainy, the colors washed and faded, and it looked liked it had been taken from an overhead security camera. It showed an older man with short gray hair, accompanied by two blond-haired teens, climbing onto a train.

Rising up on his toes, the young man swiveled his head, looking for the trio he’d glimpsed. For a moment, he thought he’d lost them in the milling crowd, but even if he had, they wouldn’t get far: one of his sisters was downstairs; another was in the street outside, watching the entrance.

Now, where had the old man and the teenagers gone?

Narrow, pinched nostrils opened wide as the young man sorted through the countless scents in the station. He identified and dismissed the mixed stink of too many humani, the myriad perfumes and deodorants, the gels and pastes, the greasy odor of fried food from the station’s restaurants, the richer aroma of coffee and the metallic oily tang of the train engines and carriages. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back.

The odors he was seeking were older, wilder, unnatural. . . .There!

Mint: just the merest suggestion.Orange: no more than the vaguest hint. Vanilla: little more than a trace.

Hidden behind small rectangular sunglasses, blue-black eyes opened wide and his head swiveled, following the gossamer threads of scent through the vast train station. He had them now!

The gray-haired older man, wearing black jeans and a scuffed leather jacket, was striding down the station concourse directly toward him. There was a small overnight case in his left hand. He was followed by the two teenagers, alike enough to be brother and sister. The boy was taller than the girl, and they were both wearing backpacks.

The young man snapped a quick picture with his cell phone camera and sent it to Dr. John Dee. Although he had nothing but contempt for the English Magician, there was no point in making an enemy of him. Dee was the agent of the most dangerous of all the Elders.

Pulling the hood of his parka over his head, he turned away as the trio drew level with him, and dialed his sister, who was waiting downstairs. “It’s definitely Flamel and the twins,” he murmured into the phone, speaking the ancient language that had eventually become Gaelic. “They’re heading in your direction. We’ll take them when they get onto the Euston Road.”

The young man in the hooded parka set off after the Alchemyst and the American twins. He moved easily through the early-afternoon crowd, looking like just another teenager, anonymous and unnoticed in his sloppy jeans, scuffed sneakers and overlarge coat, his head and face concealed by the hood, his eyes invisible behind the sunglasses.

Despite his form, the young man had never been remotely human. He and his sisters had first come to this land when it was still joined to the European continent, and for generations they had been worshipped as gods. He bitterly resented being ordered about by Dee–who was, after all, nothing more than a humani. But the English Magician had promised the hooded boy a delectable prize: Nicholas Flamel, the legendary Alchemyst. Dee’s instructions were clear; he and his sisters could have Flamel, but the twins must not be touched. The boy’s thin lips twisted. His sisters would take the boy and girl, while he would have the honor of killing Flamel. A coal-black tongue licked cracked dry lips. He and his sisters would feast for weeks. And, of course, they would keep the tastiest morsels for Mother.

Nicholas Flamel slowed, allowing Sophie and Josh to catch up with him. Forcing a smile, he pointed to the thirtyfoot- tall bronze statue of a couple embracing beneath the clock. “It’s called The Meeting Place,” he said loudly, and then added in a whisper, “We’re being followed.” Flamel grasped Josh’s arm with iron-hard fingers. “Don’t even think about turning around.”

“Who?” Sophie asked.

“What?” Josh said tightly. He was feeling nauseated; his newly Awakened senses were overwhelmed by the scents and sounds of the train station. The light was so sharp he wished he had a pair of sunglasses to shield his eyes.

“ ‘What?’ is the better question,” Nicholas said grimly. He raised a finger to point up to the clock, as if he were talking about it. “I’m not sure what it is,” he admitted. “Something ancient. I felt it the moment we stepped off the train.”

“Felt it?” Josh asked.

“A tingle, like an itch. My aura reacted to the aura of whoever–whatever–is here. When you have a little more control of your own auras, you’ll be able to do the same.” Tilting her head back, as if she were admiring the latticework of the metal-and-glass ceiling, Sophie slowly turned.

Crowds swirled around them. Most seemed to be locals, though there were plenty of tourists, many stopping to have their photographs taken in front of The Meeting Place or the huge clock. No one seemed to be paying them any particular attention.

“What can we do?” Josh asked. “I can boost Sophie’s powers. . . .”

“No,” Flamel snapped. “You can only use your powers as an absolute last resort. As soon as you activate your aura, it will alert every Elder, Next Generation and immortal within a ten-mile radius, and here, just about every immortal you encounter is allied to the Dark Elders. Also, in this land, it could awaken others, creatures best left sleeping.”

“But you said we’re being followed,” Sophie protested.

“That means Dee knows we’re here.”

Flamel urged the twins to the left, away from the statue, hurrying them toward the exit. “I would imagine there are watchers in every airport, seaport and railway station across Europe. Although Dee might have suspected that we were heading to London, the instant either of you activates your aura, he’ll know for certain.”

“Fans of adventure fantasies like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series will eat this one up.” —VOYA

“An exciting and impeccably thought-out fantasy, well-suited for those left in the lurch by Harry Potter’s recent exeunt.” —Booklist

From the Publisher

Paris is destroyed, but Nicholas Flamel faces a full brutal round of challenges in this installment of Michael Scott's popular fantasy series. Nicholas is growing weaker, and he knows that he must take Josh and Sophie Newman to London to gather what secrets they can from Gilgamesh the King. There are only two big problems: Gilgamesh is stark raving mad and their path is blocked by those dreaded flesh eaters, the Hooded Ones.

Gr 6-10–The third book takes up immediately where The Magician (Delacorte, 2008) left off, and the events described occur over the course of a week. Having fled a destroyed Paris, Nicolas Flamel and the twins are now in England with their every move being tracked by John Dee, the Dark Elders, and their denizens, who are now convinced that Sophie and Josh are the twins of legend. In the meantime, Flamel’s wife, Perenelle, the titular sorceress, is attempting to escape Alcatraz. Joined first by the knight Palamedes, and then by William Shakespeare, Flamel and the children try to stay ahead of their pursuers in an attempt to reach Stonehenge, where they hope to find a gate that will allow them to get to San Francisco. In the midst of evading pursuit, Josh finally gets the knowledge of an elemental power, Water Magic, from the insane Elder Gilgamesh, which, of course, conveniently becomes valuable. The chase and escape plots are rather thin and highlight the fact that this series feels bloated, and probably doesn’t need the six long volumes the author is planning to tell the story. The inclusion of historical characters such as Shakespeare and Billy the Kid seems primarily a gimmick, and these two characters in particular feel oddly anachronistic. This book is a must-read for fans of the series, but even they will tire if the author doesn’t get to the point with reasonable dispatch.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO

School Library Journal

Weaving yet more figures from history and myth into the third of his six-volume fantasy, Scott whisks teenage twins Sophie and Josh to London, the stronghold of archnemesis John Dee, for an encounter with Gilgamesh-a half-senile street bum in this era but a master of Water Magic and the oldest human immortal of them all. The twins feel their ways into new powers in the course of a running battle toward (where else?) Stonehenge with the Horned God, the Wild Hunt and other foes. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, their guardian Flamel's gifted wife Pernelle survives clouds of poisonous insects and attacks from the octopus-legged Old Man of the Sea to escape from Alcatraz Island. Master yarnspinner that he is, Scott expertly cranks up the suspense while keeping his now-large cast in quick motion. He also continues to blur the line between the two sides, injecting notes of ambiguity that will leave readers wondering. Ending in a welter of revelations, reunions and unresolved plotlines, this page-turner promises plenty of action to come. (Fantasy. 11-13)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #3) 4.5 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
871 reviews.

Piny

More than 1 year ago

I was walking the aisles in Barnes & Noble and was surprised to see the third book in the Flamel Series. It was an intense read that I could not put down. It kept me on the edge of my bed every night. I highly recommend the entire series for teen readers.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

The Sorceress
By Michael Scott
Pub. Date: May 2009
5 out of 5 stars
PG-13 - Violence
Recommended
Nicholas Flamel was able to get the twins, Josh and Sophie, out of Paris, France, but it seems only to bring them to an even more dangerous place, London. In a city that Dee and the Dark Elders completely control, every corner hides a person that may finally be able to capture them, or worse. kill them. They are not helpless though, with Sophie already trained in two elemental magics, Nick's knowledge, and Josh's sword, but any presence of their auras will alert everyone in the city to their location. Even if the twins survive the streets of London, they may not survive the encounter with the Water magic teacher. For Nicholas has been hiding the fact from them that this man is completely and utterly insane.
The Sorceress isn't only an action-adventure fantasy for teen boys, but also a thrilling, mysterious ride for all ages and genders.
Not only is The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series exciting, but also great books to use in the classroom. Many characters are based on historical figures. You could easily use these books as interest builders for history class. Even Science, Math, and Physics classes could be aided in teaching students by these books. The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series uses Intelligent Fighting tactics. The characters aren't just bashing the bad guys on the head with hammers, but using physics, gravity, common sense, distance estimation, probabilities, erosion, and more to take out the bad guys. These are all things that are taught in school, but not always met with interest from students. These books could turn that around!
A fourth of all the sentences started with either he, she, or they. Though that is not a very sophisticated writing technic, it doesn't impinge my love of the books at all
The Sorceress kept me on my tiptoes the whole time. Each chapter had a different cliffhanger, so it was impossible to stop reading! Someone should really add an advertisement page after each chapter, because seriously, I was waiting for the commercials to begin. Also, every character, be them minor, major, hero, or villian, had to face their different dilemmas in their own narrated chapters. I never knew who would be in the next chapter, or when we would get back to a different one. Warning, you will not be able to put this book down!
Date Reviewed: May 20th, 2009
For more book reviews and book information check out my blog at www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com

Kristafee

More than 1 year ago

My husband and I started reading the series a few months back and we couldn't wait for The Sorceress to come out. He devoured it in about a week. I love how Michael Scott mixes myths and legends from all across history and cultures with modern time and issues. The plight of Sofie and Josh are just as engaging and suspenseful as the predicament Nicholas and Parry are in. We can't wait for The Necromancer to be published.

FaeriesRreal

More than 1 year ago

I would reccommend this book to all ages. I suggest reading the first two first, though.
The worst thing about this book and all in the series, is waiting for the next one to come out.
Definitely read them!! :-)

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Like The Alchemist and The Magician, the first two books in this series by Michael Scott, The Sorceress is a real page turner. Scott weaves his extensive knowledge of folklore and mythology thoughout the books, creating an exciting story with interesting characters. I stayed up late several nights reading. I'd say to myself, "All right, I'll go to bed at the end of this chapter," only to have it end with a cliffhanger so I'd have to read on. And I'm 52 years old! My best friend's 15 year old son and I had a race to see who could finish The Sorceress first. (He won.) We can't wait for The Necromancer to be released.

Lindsey_Miller

More than 1 year ago

These are fast-paced can't put it down until your finished kind of books, and this edition to the series is no exception. However, I find myself wanting a lot more from them and the world that Scott is creating. Don't get me wrong, I really do love these books, but I have a lot of general qualms with them. I want more magic, and I want to know how the magic is being created. When we all were transported to Hogwarts, there was an explanation of how the magic worked throughout the world, which had very particular rules about what one can do when and how long it takes to acquire that knowledge. So, ok, I know that Scott is not trying to recreate the Potter world, but it would be nice to know what rules the magic of this world operates from. The best explanation that we get at any point from either of the twins is, "I don't know, somehow you just know how to do it." I think this is a travesty and is missing out on a crucial element of drawing us into the story. How are they developing these abilities? How do they feel as they're creating the magic? Every once in a while we get a peek into the whole thing, but it's not nearly often enough. Even the other immortals have cool spells that I'd like to get a little more depth on. Most of the time, they simply say, a shaman taught me this, or I learned this from Circe. You learned what from Circe? Is it a spell that you say? How are you creating the magic? Anyway, past all that, it's a fun read and, in my opinion, more engaging than the first two. Josh and Sophie have generally become less whiney and are starting to jump into this whole being special and having magical abilities thing. Also, not to spoil it, but there's an interesting plot twist that happens right at the end of the book. -Lindsey Miller, lindseyslibrary

book_lover123

More than 1 year ago

BEST BOOK EVER!!!!! Need I say more?! I think this book was wonderfully written. I felt as if I was there with
Sophie and Josh the whole time. I couldn't put it down! If you are debating about reading this book, or starting
the series, READ THE WHOLE SERIES! You will not be disappointed at all! Trust me! WARNING!
DO NOT READ THE EPILOGUE UNLESS YOU HAVE THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!!!!!!!!!
I hope this review helped, (Please click yes if it did) ;)

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

The Sorceress is the 3rd book in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series. I highly recommend this book for sit-down-and-relax reading and also plane-riding, as it has a lot of mystery, adventure, and action. This book is fun and excited and, in my opinion, great for rereads.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

TWO THUMBS UP!!!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

This series is awesome! Read it!

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Looking forward to the rest of the series. Couldn't put it down.

Patrika51

More than 1 year ago

Just finished this 3rd book this morning and until I got within the last 50 pages thought this was the last in the series. Then I got withint 20 pages of the end and knew the series wasn't over. Rather happy about that. So I got on line and ordered the last two books (book 4 and 5) that I intend to begin today. I'm hooked on Michael Scott's series of Nicolas Flamel and belive you will be too. History, magic, and possibilities abound. He has a great imagination that stirs yours as you read. No movie could do this series justice, just as about all movies fail to live up to the pictures that are created in your mind as you read the story. Continue to highly recommend this story to any age group.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Read it once and just had to read it again

nmarzola

More than 1 year ago

I love this series! I have enjoyed every step of the journey the twins and the Flamels have been on. I tore through the first three books in the series in a weeks time, not being able to put the books down. I am on the forth and am enjoying that one. This is a great series, a must have if you like the world of magic!

Cuchillo

More than 1 year ago

As I said in the other two reviews, this series is one of my favorites. The action does not stop. I'm hooked. Hard to put down, wonderfully developed characters, great plot line, suspense galore. I love that a number of the main characters are based on actual people. Flamel and his wife really existed, Google his name. His house in Paris still stands. The myth is that he discovered immortality based on the fact that he was wealthy, but no wealth was discovered when he died. His grave was dug up to see if gold was buried with him and he was no longer in it! This is fact that the author extrapolated into this wonderful series. John Dee is based on a real person too

emmanuel ebirim

More than 1 year ago

Good book for people that like fasntasy and action books

cyderry on LibraryThing

2 days ago

Nicholas Flamel is certain that he has found the twins of legend but he must protect them from the Dark Elders so that they can be trained in the maigic of the elemnts and so protect humanity from the threats of monsters and demons of ancient times.After arriving in Paris, Sophie having already been awakened and taught the element of Wind, she is taught the attributes of Fire. Meanwhile, Josh still awaits awakening and must stand by as Sophie and her teachers battle the dark forces. Just before their escape to London, Josh is Awakened by none other than the God Mars and Josh becomes a warrior/strategist.Meanwhile, Perenelle Flamel is trapped on the island of Alcatraz. Befriended by a ghost of an old sea Captain, Perenelle is able to outwit several ancient creatures (sphinx, Crow Goddess, Nered) and escape leaving her attackers stranded on the island.The story is filled with monsters and demons as well as characters from history that have been designated as immortals who come to the assistance of Josh, Sophie, and Nicholas. Perenelle's character is strong and determined and unrelenting in her goal to free herself and reach Nicholas. The whole story was great fun!

John.Fougere on LibraryThing

2 days ago

The Sorceress continues the series of Nicholas Flamel and the legendary twins. Nicholas and the twins leave Paris and go to London, the heart of were evil creature live. They go to Paris so Sophie can be instructed in the magic of water. They have to find king Gilgames (oldest immortal in the world) first. It's hard to find one man when you have creature from myths chasing you around London. So Nicholas and the twins go to Palmades (good immortal) and William Shakespear (also good immortal, and yes I am talking about THE Shakespear). John Dee becomes irritaded with Nicholas avoiding him, so John Dee plans to kill him with the help of Curnion the Archon. (The Archons are a race that came before the Elders). Now Nicholas, the twins, Palamades and Shakespear must fight off two dangerous foes.This book was more action packed than the first two. Pernelle finally escapes Alcatraz and reunites with her husband. This book had many new and devious creature than book 2. When you read the series, you relize there are barely any good immortals. This gives Nicholas and the twins a hard time, but the twins's magic is much greater than all the immortals combined. I did not like John Dee's flash backes in the book. They were boring to me, but other than that it was a good book. I recomend this book for redears who like humor/action/magic books.

wagner.sarah35 on LibraryThing

2 days ago

One of my favorite things about this series are the historical figures which turn up as immortals. It is also quite amusing to think of Machiavelli and Billy the Kid working together as well as how their distinct personalities would translate into the twenty-first century. The more central characters - Josh and Sophie, Nicholas Flamel, his wife Perenelle, and nemesis John Dee - also continue their exciting adventures, learning new magics and facing ancient creatures. Michael Scott has done an excellent job of blending myth and imagination to create an enjoyable fantasy series. I look forward to reading the next book!

weeksj10 on LibraryThing

2 days ago

I love how it combines myth, magic, and modern life. The idea of historical characters becoming immortal is cool and I will definitely read the entire series. Not crazy about the writing style, but the characters and plot make up for it.

gsmattingly on LibraryThing

2 days ago

Great continuation of the Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel with elder gods, immortals, magic, battles and more.

Cradlow on LibraryThing

2 days ago

Another good chapter in this series. I will have to request the next book because my home library does not seem to have.

scarpettajunkie on LibraryThing

2 days ago

The Sorceress by Michael Scott is a fantasy on the level of C.S. Lewis. All three of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series have not been afraid to delve into mythology, archeology, and folklore. The results are a book with momentum requiring no less than completely riveted attention. The Sorceress picks up with Sophie and Josh in England. Of course, all the old and vicious immortals hang out in this country. Nicolas and Perenelle are still in danger of dying from old age as they cannot use the Codex to brew more youth potion. Dr. John Dee is hunting the twins and marshalling his forces of baddies. Sophie and Josh are on a quest to find Gilgamesh to learn the third elemental magic of water. It is especially engrossing to read of how Perenelle uses her wits to keep out of harm¿s way on Alcatraz when the basement of the prison is stocked with every living horror imaginable. The highlights of this book were when a pair of figures from the past take sides in this battle for the salvation of earth as we know it. It is also great fun to see Machiavelli and Dr. Dee brought low when all their best laid plans crumble and they find themselves in danger of losing their own immortality. It is also a big question what happens to Excalibur and Clarent as the evil Dr. Dee has Excalibur and desires Clarent. The Sorceress is even better than the first two books. However, they all complement each other to make a pleasing whole. I was kept up reading late wondering what is going to happen next. I would definitely read any of these books more than once and they should be crowd pleasers. This book comes highly recommended to children and adults.

dbhutch on LibraryThing

2 days ago

Sophie and Josh continue their adventures across the globe, learning about thier magic, places, and people as they go along. Both of the twins now Awakened, they travel to England with Flamel to be taught the magic of water by Gilgamesh the King. but danger lurks from the moment they arrive - England is Dee's world, and he uses everything he can to capture the twins, and kill Flamel. On the other side of the globe, in Alcatraz, Pernelle battles with the creatures set to keep her there by Dee. Visit with Shakepeare, Stonehenge, and the ghosts of Alcatraz as Michael Scott keeps the pace up and the pages turning with the 3rd book of his series. My opnion - this is the best of the three, and I have a feeling things will just keep getting even better from here. He has a winner for older and young adults alike.

deslivres5 on LibraryThing

2 days ago

The saga of Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel and their quest to get the Twins of Legend, Sophie and Josh, trained in their magical abilities continues. This time, the action is mostly centered around the twins and Nicholas in London, but also switches back and forth to the Sorceress, Perenelle, and her attempts to survive her imprisonment on Alcatraz. The old villains, Dee and Machiavelli, are back, along with some new, frightening enemies from lore. Help for Nicholas and the twins also comes from history and folklore, both ancient and not so ancient. If you enjoyed the first two books in the series, The Alchemyst and The Magician, you will love this one. Fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan will also enjoy this series.

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